How will hydrogen fuel cells
change the world?
Why Do We Need a New Fuel
Source?
• Currently our machinery runs on oil
• Oil pollutes and there are limited supplies
• Hydrogen is the most abundant element
in the known universe
• Hydrogen fuel cells do not pollute
How A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works
•
•
The fuel cell is composed of an
anode, an electrolyte
membrane in the center, and a
cathode.
Hydrogen flows into the fuel
cell anode. Platinum coating
on the anode helps to separate
the gas into hydrogen ions and
electrons. The electrolyte
membrane allows only the
protons to pass through the
membrane to the cathode side
of the fuel cell. The electrons
cannot pass through this
membrane and flow through an
external circuit in the form of
electric current.
How a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works
How A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works
•
Hydrogen fuel cells are very efficient compared
to what we have now.
Where Will Hydrogen Come
From?
• Hydrogen is not readily available for
consumer use yet.
• To get around this problem, hydrogen will
be extracted from other, more
conventional types of fuels by a device
called a reformer.
• A fuel like natural gas is reformed into
hydrogen which will then go on to power
a fuel cell.
Where Will Hydrogen Come
From?
• Natural gas comes from mostly the US,
so even before the switch to pure
hydrogen is made, we will get our fuel
domestically.
• Natural gas production could peak by
2025
Bush Administration’s Hydrogen
Commitment
• 500 metric tons of carbon
saved each year by 2040
• Reduce demand for
oil by 11 million
barrels per day by
2040
• Child born in 2003 to
drive a hydrogen car at age 16
Hydrogen Powered Cars
• Hydrogen cars run clean.
• 500 cubic tons of carbon removed from
atmosphere by 2040
• New design possibilities
because of compact
hydrogen fuel cell
stack.
• Stack of 200 cells
is the size of a
home PC.
Hydrogen Powered Cars
• Quieter operation than normal cars
because of no moving parts in the fuel
cell stack and electric motors at the
wheels.
• Possibility of interchangeable bodies.
GM Hy-Wire Concept Car
• Skateboardlike chassis
with snap-on
body.
• No engine
compartment,
larger cabin.
• 82hp engine
• 0-62 mph. in
16 seconds
Honda FCX Concept Car
•
•
•
•
•
•
Max speed 93 Mph
80hp produced
201 lb-ft torque
No snap-on body
More realistic
5th generation
Hydrogen in the Home and
Office
• Hydrogen fuel cells will power and heat
homes and offices.
• Hopefully this will start in about 10 years.
• The hydrogen will come from natural gas
that has gone through a reformer.
• Hydrogen cars can be refueled in the
garage by a hydrogen powered house.
Hydrogen in Politics
• Much of the world’s
and America’s oil
comes from the
Middle East.
• This is an
incredibly volatile
region.
• Oil runs the
economy in these
countries
Hydrogen in Politics
• Hydrogen fuel cells mean a decreased
need for Middle Eastern oil.
• Decreased imports by the US means a
decreased military presence in the
Middle East.
• Possible economic collapse in main oil
exporting nations and in places like Saudi
Arabia, this could lead to revolution.
• Possible no-win situation for the US.
Hydrogen in Politics
• Hydrogen fuel cells can be used to power
third world.
• In underdeveloped countries, the
governments would not have to go broke
importing oil.
• Solar or wind power collectors could
produce energy which would make
hydrogen.
Conclusion
• Hydrogen fuel cells will dramatically
change our cars, how are homes and
businesses are powered and heated, and
it both positively and negatively change
places like the Middle East and third
world countries. They will also clean up
the world’s air.
Discussion Questions
• Do you think the federal government
should help fund the development of
hydrogen fuel cell technologies?
• Do you think that hydrogen fuel cells are
a viable alternative to oil?
• What aspect of hydrogen fuel cell power
interests you the most or what do you
think you will benefit most from?
• Questions?
Bibliography
•
Burns, Lawrence D.; McCormick J. Byron; Borroni-Bird, “Vehicle of Change.” Scientific
American. Vol. 287 Issue 4, Oct. 2002. Page 64.
•
“Daily Auto Insider, The.” http://www.caranddriver.com 12 Feb. 2003.
•
“Fact Sheet: Hydrogen Fuel: a Clean and Secure Energy Future.” 6 Feb. 2003
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/release/2003/02
•
“GM’s Hy-Wire fuel cell concept to be unveiled at Paris Motor Show.” Yahoo Canada
Autos. 15 Aug. 2002. http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/020815/11/odrd.html.
•
Hall, Larry. “General Motors tries out a Hy-Wire act with new fuel-cell vehicle.” The
Oregonian. 25 Jan. 2003.
Bibliography
•
“How Does a Fuel Cell Work.” http://www.utcfuelcells.com/fuelcell/how_fl.shtml
•
“Hydrogen Fuel Initiative Can Make ‘Fundamental Difference:’ Remarks by the President
on Energy Independence.” http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/release/2003/02
•
Lavelle, Marianne. “Living Without Oil.” US News and World Report. 17 Feb.2003.
Page 32.
•
Rifkin, Jeremy. “The Hydrogen Economy.” Tarcher/Putnam. New York. 2002.
•
“U.S. Oil Imports - Top 10 Countries of Origin.”
http://www.ott.doe.gov/facts/archives/fotw246.shtml